Spiced Lamb Burgers with Mint Yogurt Sauce

I just began eating lamb in Iceland this past December. Seven months later, you’d have sworn I was in utero looking like Pebbles with a lamb shank. Minus the red hair.

A juicy lamb burger with bright notes of parsley, chopped scallions, garlic, curry, and cumin, pan-fried and topped with creamy mint yogurt sauce and crunchy red cabbage. Such a happy marriage of flavors.

In other news, tomorrow I’m flying to Las Vegas for the World Series of Poker. Daniel plays in the tournament every year and I…well…I lie in the sun. And pretend to be Doug in “The Hangover”- semi-successful on that front. The first time I went to Vegas was my senior year of college. Daniel, Justin, and another of our guy friends, me, my sister, and our best friend, Sabrina. Essentially the cast of “Friends” but much more obscene. It was such a fun trip. And oddly enough, none of us quite operates under the notion of “What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas,” so we’ve got a trash bag full of tales to tell and retell and then tell again. Bless our children.

We’ve gone to parties at Pure, the Palms, and Tao, visited most of the casinos, stayed at Caesar’s Palace, the Rio, and now the Venetian. Lots to do in Vegas. I think the key to avoiding that feeling of “I’m unclear as to whether that woman in front of the Tropicana is actually a gentleman” and “Hey, is that a scantily-clad thirty-something or a prostitute?” is to take Vegas for what it’s worth. In all reality, it can be a very swanky place. Lots of luxury and even grandeur. There are beautiful casinos, five-star hotels, pools, and most importantly, some of the best restaurants in the country. It seems like every celebrity chef has opened a bistro or a lounge in the City of Sin. And the weather, as far as I’m concerned, is sublime. Hot, hot, hot, but without humidity. Gives me a chance to take off my semi-permanent wool socks for a minute.

I’m thrilled to be going this year because Daniel and I always have the best time. We’ve got tickets to Cirque de Soleil “O” on Friday night. Last year we saw “The Beatles: Love” and, for lack of a better word, loved it. I’ll be blogging throughout, so keep your fingers crossed that I come back without a shaved head, 2 1/2 Chinese symbols inked on my neck and forearm, and a marriage license. All very possible. But in a worst case scenario, here are my hopes: that I would look half as good with no hair as Demi Moore did in “G.I. Jane,” have 2 1/2 tattoos of symbols that actually mean what I intend them to (one being “cookie monster” and the other- “friend to dogs”), and Leonardo DiCaprio as my husb… you get the picture.

Have you been to Vegas? Did you like it?

For the Lamb Burgers(makes 1 burger)

4 oz fresh ground lamb

1 TBSP minced scallions

1/2 TBSP minced fresh parsley

1 tsp minced garlic

dash each- salt, pepper, cumin, curry powder, cayenne pepper

For the Minted Yogurt Sauce

2 TBSP greek yogurt

2 tsp minced fresh mint

dash each- salt, pepper

pinch garlic powder

Combine all burger ingredients in a bowl and mix well with your hands.

Form into a patty and grill for about 5 minutes per side. You can also pan fry them with a teaspoon of olive oil for about 6 minutes per side.

In a small bowl, stir together the yogurt sauce ingredients and refrigerate for 10 minutes to let the flavors blend. Serve on top of your freshly grilled burger.

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28 thoughts on “Spiced Lamb Burgers with Mint Yogurt Sauce”

have fun in vegas! i don’t really like the town b/c i don’t 1. drink 2. gamble but i DO love the great food and the super cheap hotels this time of year. my hubby and i will probably try to do another trip mid-week if we can to take advantage of the specials. here’s a recap of our trip last year this time:

Have a blast in Vegas!!
I’m actually heading there for the first time at the end of August. I’m going with my hubby, along with about 14 others – it’s a combined bachelor/bachelorette party for one of my friends who’s getting married in October. So, like you, I’m hoping to come back without any “Hangover” re-enactments. :)

Enjoy Vegas! Get all scandalous and then come back and tell us about it. I’m not the Vegas kinda girl, but I hear the food is good. And I might be persuaded to go to see Circle du Soleil. I saw one show years ago and loved it. Can’t wait to hear how it was.

We go to LV every year and love it (my dh did WSOP a couple years ago :-)
We are headed next month and it sounds as though you love it as much as I do! Have fun and can’t wait to hear your adventures (maybe I’ll learn about a new food find from you I can try out!!!!)

Have fun in Vegas…….my son goes to those tournaments too! Next time I will have to go (chaperone!! He’s 32!!) with him! I loved it when I went for my 50th, so much to see and do. You don’t have to gamble and drink to have fun, it just enhances the whole thing!!

This burger looks awesome! I love the splash of bright purple in there! I just got back from Vegas… very fun, but I can only handle a couple of days. Too much craziness for me! I hope you are having a great time there!

have a great trip! i love vegas, but for two nights. maybe three. anything more than that and i’m done. i guess i can only handle that much excess?? but seriously, i love how the sun & food & booze & life is in OVERLOAD when in vegas. can’t wait to see your pics!!

Yum. I love lamb but have never tried it in burger form. My in-laws will be here this weekend and I think I ‘ll try them. Have been to vegas, stayed at the Venetian, and seen O (although I was half asleep from time change and 10 pm show…and I’m even a night owl. It’s very cool. Love the tattoo comment. I don’t have one and I’m not against them but in Vegas…everyone has one! Enjoy!